Selenium and vitamin E deficiency impair transferrin receptor internalization but not IL-2, IL-2 receptor, or transferrin receptor expression.
Vitamin E and Se deficiency increase the risk of disease by impairing the immune response. To aid in the understanding of how vitamin E and Se deficiency reduce immune competence, this study examined several mechanisms necessary for lymphocyte proliferation. Weanling rats were fed a vitamin E-deficient, selenium-deficient, or control diet for 8 weeks. At this time splenic mononuclear cells were isolated and stimulated with concanavalin A for 48 h. Although the percentage of lymphocytes and monocytes capable of proliferating were consistent among the dietary groups, lymphocyte proliferation was decreased significantly in vitamin E- and selenium-deficient rats. This decrease in proliferation was not associated with alterations in interleukin-2, interleukin-2 receptor, or transferrin receptor expression. However, stimulated cells from vitamin E- and Se-deficient rats internalized few if any transferrin receptors. Reduced transferrin receptor internalization may limit lymphocyte expansion by depleting the intracellular iron stores needed for cellular function and proliferation.
Pighetti
G M
GM
Department of Veterinary Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802, USA.
Eskew
M L
ML
Reddy
C C
CC
Sordillo
L M
LM
D000818:Animals; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004705:Endocytosis; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012643:Selenium / Q000172:deficiency*; D014811:Vitamin E Deficiency / Q000378:metabolism*
D007376:Interleukin-2; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin; D012643:Selenium